1943's Festive Fifth
I THOUGHT that I had written my last report for this MAGAZINE, but I was told that I had one more to do—that being the story of our reunion—so, if you'll bear with me once more then I'll turn the job over to Elmer Stevens, our new secretary, as of the next issue!
The reunion was perfectly wonderful! That is an understatement. I'm sure all who attended will agree. The final count was 167 present; some more may not have registered, so it's probably about 180 or so, including wives, dates and other "personalities." Here is the list:
Chuck Arnstein, George and Jane Barlow, Burrows and Judy Barstow, George Beaton, JackBehringer, Harry Bishop, Stan Bolster, Tracy andMickey Breed, Arthur and Francis Bucknam, DickBugbee, Mr. and Mrs. George Burke, Andy Caffrey,Kelly Coffin, Ray Colby, John and Margot Conn,Brad and Doris Cole, Don and Pat Crance, Mr.and Airs. Jim Cruickshank, Frank Dain, Bing Donaldson, Pres Brooks, Ted and Gloria Driscoll, BillDavies, Dick Dunbar, Wes Dunaway, Ralph Dushame, Bob Ehinger, Bob Fuiks, Bob and LizGarvie, Howie Geer, Jim Gilfillan, Priscilla andBill Glovsky, Herb Harrigan, Ted and EstherHopper, Charlie and Betty Kane, Martin "Killer"Kane, Tom and Cora Keeler, Hank and HelenKidder, Doug and Betty Kipp, John and StasiaKoslowski, S. M. Lambert, Bob and Mimi Lappin,W. C. Leonard, Ed and Dotty Lider, Bob andBarbara Liming, Dick and Shirley Livingston, VanLloyd, Jim McNamara, Jim Malley, Gene McCarthy, Don McCorkindale, Ray McMahon, Boband Donna McQueen, George and Anne Mason,Farmer Mead, John and Lil Meleney, Ed Miller,Mr. and Mrs. George Munroe, A. C. Nagle, Mr.and Mrs. Herb Nolan and Miss Covey Krem(sister), Bob and Anne Pelren, Hank and Els aPerley, Jack and Shirley Pfeiffer, Stan Priddy, Johnand Ann Pr it chard, Paul Randall, Rob by Robinson,Bill and Sally Seidman, John Shaw, Dick andBrownie Sherburne, Chet and Jonnie Solez, Al andNancy Stedman, Dacey Stevens, Fred and MarjeStockwell, Bob and Caroline Stokes, Don and LeslieTaylor, Warren and Hutch Taylor, Mike andConnie Thurston, Binney and Shirley Tower, ValVallarino, John Walton, Paul Winbrenner, JimWells, Bill Whitmarsh and friend, Davis Whittemore, Bud Wiggin, Warner Willcox and Rosamund Brister, Dick Wood, Bill Woythaler, Fritzand Nance Geller, Bill Maeck, Elmer Stevens, Pauland Duddy Costello '42, Jim and Barbara Olsen,Doc Fielding and Sherry Cay I ess, George Eady,Maurice Dam pier, Mike Diaz, Jim and Rita Doucette, Dave and Beverly Hoffman, Tony and KathyFarrell, Al Hardie, John Bartemus and Mary JaneTilton, Bob Perkins, Don and Belle Walls, Cornyand Jean Blaauw, Phil and Shirley Jackson, KevinKenny, John Wynne, Don Kingsley, W. W. Wilson, Norm As key, Tom Swick, Fred Richardson,Bob Barnum, Lee Romanow and Miss Jane Craig,Sid Hazelton, Bill Jones, Amasa Pratt.
Most of the group arrived in town sometime on Friday. The tent, GHQ, was loaded with that "foamy stuff" most of the time as were those in it. Our dorm was Wheeler Hall and the tent was right beside the hall—not so far to walk to bed (if you could walk). We also used Richardson Hall.
Saturday morning started out dark, dreary, and very rainy and we were all afraid there'd be no picnic. We had our Class Meeting at McNutt and the following business was transacted:
1. Report by Class War Memorial Committee member, Jerry Souers, and discussion as to disposition of the money collected.
2. Election of new officers for five year term: Secretary—Elmer Stevens of Hanover; Treasurer—Sfan Priddy of Boston; Executive Committee—"Sparky" Adams,"Damp" Dampier, "Farmer" Mead, JimElleman, Ray McMahon, "Jug" O'Connor, and Dick Bugbee; Honorary Member—Fred Stockwell.
3. Class dues set at $4 a year.
4. Voted to make Maj. Donald S. Callaham, instructor in Dartmouth NROTC unit, honorary member of class.
5. Treasurer's Report—Bill Maeck, about $250 in treasury.
6. Rousing ovation of appreciation to outgoing officers and to Reunion Committee.
7. Appointment of Ted Hopper as Class Agent.
There was quite a bit of discussion about what to have as our Class War Memorialscholarships, piano, Capehart victrola and records, or to have a 1943 room in the Hopkins Center in memory of those gone from our class. The latter seemed to be the most popular. The matter was referred to the committee of Bud Hall, Jerry Souers and Paul Parker to make the final decision when all the money is collected.
The official reunion picture was taken on the campus in front of Baker Hall, blurry eyes and all.
It cleared somewhat by noon. The men went to the gym for an alumni luncheon and the '43 and '44 girls went to the Hovey Grill. After our luncheon we went upstairs for the meeting of the General Alumni Association at which time we heard Sid Hayward, President Dickey and others speak.
By two o'clock it had cleared beautifully and so we all took off for Storrs Pond where a grand time was had by all. Softball, volley-ball, swimming, drinking and other outdoor sports were imbibed in. The ball games lasted all afternoon, various people playing off and on, the girls, too.
That grand and glorious institution, the Beer Keg, was much in evidence during the picnic. Supper was served and then after the picnic we all headed back for group gettogethers, fraternity reunions, and then to Webster for the play "Vets Village."
After the play, a Variety Show led by "Doc" Fielding was held. People from all over campus watched "Doc" play records and make out as if he was singing selections such as "Sonny Boy" by Jerry Colona, "Dinah" by Danny Kaye and the famous "Sow Song." He was a definite success and a good time was had by all.
The tent buzzed with activity again after "Doc's" show and ran on into the wee hours of Sunday morning.
A very impressive memorial service run jointly by ourselves and '44 in honor of our classmates killed in the war was held in the Bema Sunday morning. The service was conducted by Rev. Don Oakes '44 and Bob Thede of our class. After the service a buffet luncheon was served at the class tent and then people started ambling homeward.
Dick Wood, loaded with a box of cigars, announced to the group on Saturday that he became the father of a bouncing baby boy at one a.m. that morning. Another new arrival was that of Charles Hervey Townshend to Harry Townshend in New Haven, Harry's third.
That about winds up my report of the Reunion. Movies were taken as were many still pictures so a complete record was made. We all had a wonderful time and are looking forward to our tenth in '53. Sorry you couldn't all make it but maybe next time. After talking with people that went to the sth I'm sure you'll all want to plan on the 10th.
BACK FOR THEIR FIFTH REUNION, THE CLASS OF 1943 MADE IT ONE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR YEARS TO COME
CLASS SECRETARY
